Hopper car gravity gate and pneumatic pan latch



United States Patent [72] Inventor Frank A. Beezhold Lansing, Illinois [21] Appl. No. 698,011 [22] Filed Jan. 15, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 [73] Assignee Pullman Incorporated Chicago, Illinois a corporation of Delaware [54] HOPPER CAR GRAVITY GATE AND PNEUMATIC PAN LATCH 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,739 8/1930 Anderson 105/308 2,145,174 1/1939 Hankins 105/282 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Altorneysl-lilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell ABSTRACT: In a hopper having a discharge outlet, a closure gate and a pneumatic discharge pan are provided which slide on a frame disposed underneath the hopper from one side thereof horizontally to a closed position. To maintain the closed position of the gate and pan during train operation a lock arrangement is provided which includes a rotatable element having an abutment means which in one position is disposed in the path of sliding movement of the closure gate and the pan to lock the same in position. The abutment means is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the closure gate and pneumatic discharge pan into an out-of-the-way position whereupon the discharge gate and pan can be moved to an open position supported on the frame Patented "Nbv..10, 1970 3,539,224

INVENTOR ATT' Y..

' FRANK A. BEEZ/gOLD BY fi I Patented Nov. 10, 1970 INVENTOR FRANK A. BEEZHOLD Sheet HOPPER CAR GRAVITY GATE AND PNEUMATIC PAN LATCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of invention has to do with discharge hoppers and particularly those whicb are mounted on railway hopper cars. The specific application is concerned with'a' discharge gate including a closure member and pneumatic discharge pan for closing the discharge opening of the hopper, the improvement pertaining particularly to a locking arrangement for maintaining the discharge gate and pan in a closed position.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the prior art hopper discharge gates generally comprise a frame which is disposed beneath the discharge portion of a hopper. The frame supports for sliding movement a gravity closure gate which is movable underneath the discharge portion of a hopper to a closed position. In the event that the hopper is also provided with means for discharging materials by means of a pneumatic arrangement, a second slidable pan is provided on the frame for movement underneath the discharge opening. As shown in the present disclosure, this pan includes a pneumatic hood adapted for connection to a source or vacuum. Since it is particularly important that the gravity gate and the pan are maintained in a closed position during train operation, various locking devices for such gates have been provided in the prior art. Such locking devices have included sealing pins which in the locking position engaged aligned openings, respectively, provided on the closure gate and on the frame. Other latching means included locking dogs, camming means, and sliding bolts. In some of the above arrangements the pins and bolts while performing adequate locking functions would cause problems in that they could easily be displaced or lost during train operation. Further, the locking dogs, cams, etc. provided cumbersome and relatively expensive constructions which would not in all cases function adequately over long periods of use. The present arrangement overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art devices.

-SUMMARY The present invention provides an improved lock arrangement for locking in a closed position the sliding gravity gate and pneumatic discharge pan of a hopper discharge arrangement. In the closed position a rotatable locking member is disposed in a manner wherein an abutment means engages the closure gate to positively provide stop means preventing opening of the gate during its closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective vicw of a combination gravity and pneumatic discharge arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of a frame structure for supporting a gravity gate in position adjacent and underneath a discharge hopper;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substahtially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGJ4 is an elevational view of one end of a frame supporting a closure gate, the said view showing two positions of a locking handle for a lock arrangement; and

FIG. Sis a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 2, a hopper construction is generally designated by the reference character 10. The hopper IO'may be of conventional construction, a plurality of these generally being supported on the frame of a railway hopper car (not shown). The hopper includes a plurality of sloping walls ll converging to provide a discharge opening I2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pneumatic and gravity discharge gate attachment is designated by the reference character l3. The gate attachment I3 includes three interconnected angle members 14, particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Each angle member 14 comprises a sloping wall portion 15 suitably connected to an adjacent converging side wall 11 of the hopper [0. The angle member 14 further comprises flanges 16 extending horizontally inwardly as shown in FIG. 5. Inwardly extending ledges 17 are connected to the angle members 14 and a plate 18 is disposed beneath each of the ledges 17. A pneumatic discharge pan, as shown in FIG. 5, designated at 19 is slid'able relative to the angle members 14 including sliding edge portions 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a pair of brackets 21 are connected to the pan l9 projecting laterally with respect thereto and supporting for rotation a shaft 22. A pair of toothed racks 23 are suitably supported underneath the angle members 14 in laterally spaced relation, only one of which is shown. Pinions 24 rigidly secured to the shaft 22 engage the racks 23 and upon rotation of the shaft 23 move the pan 19 from a position underneath the discharge opening 12 to a laterally nonuse position as will be further described. The shaft 22 is provided at opposite ends with a head member 26 adapted to be suitably engaged by a rod or other tool for rotating the shaft 22 as required.

A duct 27 is connected to the pan [9 for movement therewith. said duct 27 being suitably connected for commu' nication with a suction hood (not shown) within the pan, the said duct 27 being adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for pneumatically withdrawing materials from the hopper 10. Each end of the duct 27 is provided with a removable cap 28 for closing the duct 27 in its nonusc position.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, an inverted angle 29 is suitably connected to one of the walls 11 of the hopper I0 adjacent to the discharge opening 12. The inverted angle 29 is suitably supported by means of another angle 30, the said angles 29 and 30 being in turn suitably connected to opposite end portions of substantially parallel angle members 14, as best shown in FIG. I.

A rectangular frame is provided by means of a pair of upright angle members 31 suitably connected to the members 29 and 30 and extending in parallel relation horizontally outwardly to one side of the discharge opening 12. Each upright frame member 31 comprises a horizontally extending flange 32 on each of which a track member 33 is supported. The track members 33 support for sliding movement a closure member or gate 34. The closure gate 34 may be moved from the position wherein it is supported on the track members 33, horizontally to the right as indicated in FIG. I wherein the closure member 34 is in a closed position closing the opening 12 of the discharge hopper. In moving to this position the gate34 slides upon the parallel plates 18 until the end portion 35 shown in FIG. 5 is positioned between the ledge 17 and plate 18.

The gate 34 is provided with a pair of upstanding brackets 36 positioned in laterally spaced relation. The brackets 36 suitably journal a shaft 38 'having connected thereto for rotation therewith a pair of pinions 39. The said pinions 39 are each in mesh with a toothed rack 40, the said racks 40 being positioned in laterally spaced relation and extending substantially parallel to and above the frame members 31. As indicated in FIG. 2 the closure member 34 also is positioned above an extension 37 of the pan 19. The racks 40 are supported at one cndby diagonally upstanding supports 41 which are suitably connected to the inverted angle member 29. The opposite ends of the shaft-38 have each connected thereto a head 38 which may be rotated for rotating said pinions thereby moving the gate 34 either to the closed or open positrons.

The'upright frame members 3] are interconnected at their ends bymeans ofa vertical frame member 42, which by means of an angle 43 extcndinglaterally with respect to the toothed racks 40 support the same in the position indicated in FIG. 2. The frame member 42 also includes an inwardly extending horizontal flange 44 supporting end portions of the frame members 4! and track members 33. The flange 44 also supports a pair of stop lugs 43 which are engaged by the closure gate 34 in the open position ofsaid gate.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a closure member lock assembly is generally designated by the reference character 45. The lock assembly 45 comprises a plate 46 rigidly connected to the upright frame member 42 and is provided with an opening 47 in alignment with an opening 48 in said frame member 42. A tubular shaft 49 is supported for rotation in the openings 47 and 48 and is held against axial movement by means of a collar 50 engaging the plate 46. The shaft 49 extends from the member 42 adjacent to the inverted angle 29. The end of the tubular shaft 49 is provided with a bore 51 which receives in journaling relation a cylindrical pivot element 52 secured by means ofa head 53 to an angle bracket 54 in turn rigidly connected to the angle member 29.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plate 55 is connected to the shaft 49 and projects downwardly with respect thereto in a position shown in FIG. 2. The plate 55 is provided with an abutment surface 56, which in the position shown in FIG. 2,

lies in the path of sliding movement of the gate 34 and discharge pan extension 37 and is in abutment therewith in the closed position of the gate The shaft 49 projects outwardly from the opening 48 and has connected thereto a handle 57 which in the open position is in engagement with a stop 58 and in the closed position is in engagement with a stop 58 and in the closed position is rotated into engagement with the stop 59, both ofsaid stops being rigidly connected to the outer surface of the upright member 42. The stop 58 is provided with an abutment surface 60 engaged by the handle 57 in the open position and the stop 59 is provided with an abutment surface 6| also engaged by the handle 57 in the closed position. The abutment surface 6i is also provided with an opening 62 which by means of a wire seal 63 passing thcrethrough serves to lock the handle 57in the position as indicated in FIG. 4.

THE OPERATION When the hopper has been loaded with material and it is desired to transport the railway car for over-the-rail traffic, the gate 34 has been previously moved to its closed position relative to the opening 12. This is accomplished by inserting a tool into either head 38 rotating the pinions whereby the same will travel along the racks 40 causing sliding movement of the gate 34 into its closed position, wherein as shown in FIG. 5, the end portion is in complete closed position relative to the opening I2. If it is desired to withdraw the closure gate 34 into a nonused position wherein the same overlies the track members 33. the reverse operation is performed. This is desired for the purpose of unloading the hopper whereupon the material from the hopper may be discharged by means of gravity provided the pan [9 has also been moved into a position supported on opposed flanges 32 underneath the gate 34. Thus, in this position with both the gate 34 and the pan I9 sup ported on the frame members 3], material from the opening 12 is discharged by gravity. In the event that it is desired to discharge material pneumatically. the pain 19 remains in the position indicated in FIG. 2 wherein the material may be withdrawn by suction from the duct 27.

The lock assembly 45 primarily functions to lock the clo sure gate 34 and pneumatic discharge pans 19 in the closed position so that there is no possibility of said gate 34 and pan 19 opening accidentally during train operation. This is accomplished by the abutment surface 56 which is in the path of movement of the closure gate 34 and the pan extension 37 and in said position as indicated in FIG. 2 positively preventing any movement to the left of said gate and pan. The plate 55 is sufficiently thick and rigidly connected to the shaft 49 so that it presents an effective stop. In this closed position the handle 57 has been moved to the position shown in FIG. 4 with the seal 63 locking the same in this position. Upon movement of the handle 57 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4. the plate 55 is moved from its vertical depending position approximately thereby projecting horizontally with respect to the axis of the tube 49. Obviously in this latter position the gate 34 can readily be withdrawn and moved in sliding fashion over the length of the track members 33 until movement of the gate 34 is stopped by means of the stop elements 43'. Similarly the pan 19 may be moved underlying the gate 34.

By virtue of this particular lock construction positive locking means is afforded for locking the gravity gate 34 in the closed position. Therefore, it is also readily apparent a positive and foolproof lock means is provided which is available whenever required to provide for effective locking action. The operation is simple and foolproof in that once the abutment means is in the position indicated in FIG. 2 it is virtually impossible to move the gate 34 from the position shown in FIG. 2.

Thus the invention has been fully disclosed above and the advantages have been clearly set forth. It must be understood that changes and modifications may be made which do not depart from the spirit of the invention nor from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim: I

I. A hopper construction for combination gravity and pneumatic discharge comprising:

a hopper bottom discharge opening portion defining a hopper discharge opening;

a combination pneumatic and gravity discharge frame structure attached to said discharge opening portion;

said frame structure including a first frame attached to said opening portion and having pneumatic pan track means and pan supporting surfaces;

at pnuematic pan slidably mounted on said first frame surfaces for endwise movement therefrom to uncover the hopper discharge opening;

Pneumatic pan drive means cooperative with the pan and with the track means for endwisc movement of the pan to expose the discharge opening; a second frame connecting with the first frame and spaced endwise therefrom and having pan supporting surfaces slidably receiving said pan;

said second frame being provided with gravity gate support surfaces spaced vertically from the pan supporting surface and said first frame being provided with gravity gate support surfaces in general horizontal alignment with the gravity gate support surfaces of the second frame and spaced vertically from the pan supporting surfaces of the first frame;

a gravity gate slidably mounted on said second frame for movement therefrom to the gravity gate surfaces of the said second frame having gravity gate track means and drive means cooperative with the track means and with the gravity gate for shifting the gravity gate from the second frame to the first frame under the discharge opening;

locking means carried by the second frame for locking both the gravity gate and the pan in the closed position underneath the discharge opening;

said lock arrangement comprising an elongated shaft extending in the direction ol'endwisc movement of the gate and the pan and in general planar alignment with the gate and pan, said shaft being rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of endwise movement of the gate and pan;

an abutment member being connected with and extending from said shaft along the axis of said shaft and transverse to the direction of endwise movement of the pan and gravity gate; and

said shaft having a handle being rotatable about an axis transverse to the gate and pan movement to swing said abutment member in and out of obstructing position with said gate. the abutment member in a first position having its end surface engageable with the vertically spaced end surfaces of the pan and the gate to prevent the endwise movement of the gate and pan from underneath the discharge opening, said handle being rotatable to a second position whereby said abutment member is swung out of the path of movement of said gate and pan. 2. The invention according to claim 1. and said second frame being a U-shaped frame structure.

3. The invention according to claim Land: said second frame having a pair of spaced apart endwise extending frame parts and a transverse extending end frame part; part, said end frame part rotatably supporting said shaft and said handle portion projecting from the said end frame part for rotation of said abutment member between locked and unlocked positions; and said shaft being generally parallel to said endwise frame parts. 4. The invention according to claim 3, and said shaft having one end rotatably supported on the transverse frame part and said first frame having a bracket means and said shaft being rotatably supported in said bracket means.

5. The invention according to claim 3, and means on said transverse frame-part releasably locking said handle in said locking position relative to the pneumatic pan and gravity.

gate.

6. The invention according to claim 3. and said transverse frame part having a stop for holding the handle in the locking- 

